Traditions and customs. Culture and traditions of Poland Polish holidays and traditions in Polish

Nationality is determined not only by linguistic culture, but also by the specifics of everyday life. The uniqueness of the Poles is attractive to tourists. Every year 50-60 million guests visit Poland, and this is far from the limit. Many Polish traditions are closely related to religion. Most Poles are adherents of the Catholic faith. In Poland, as in other countries, there are traditions that shock tourists. There are several customs that the local population considers normal, but they cause real amazement among foreigners.

Beach fences are an amazing custom of the Poles.

For those who plan to spend their holidays on the Baltic Sea coast through Poland, knowledge of this tradition will be very useful. For a beach holiday, it is better to purchase a mobile “fence” in advance to enclose your personal space. The absence of a fancy accessory will noticeably set you apart from the general crowd of vacationers. Woven “fences” are an integral part of a beach holiday in Poland.

Oczepiny- Wedding fun

If you have to attend a Polish wedding, you should definitely find out the meaning of the term “ocepina” or “ochepina”. For those who do not like to be the center of attention, when announcing wedding fun, it is better to leave, as you will inevitably have to participate in competitions that will be outside your comfort zone. Oczepiny is a Slavic rite of passage from a bride to a married woman.

According to the old tradition, the bride was dressed in a scarf, under which shortened strands were hidden. This is where the name “ochepina” (cap) came from. Over time, the tradition has undergone some changes. The modern ceremony begins with the throwing of the bride's bouquet, and the further development of events is simply unpredictable. Any wedding guest may be forced to pass a banana to a stranger without using their hands, or to dance tango with a same-sex partner, imitating a couple in love. Alcohol competitions can alternate with sexual ones, violating the line of decency.

Traditions for Christmas and Easter

As in other countries, Christmas and Easter are considered important holidays in Poland. Among the unusual holiday traditions, one can note the obligatory leaving of a plate for an unexpected guest and straw under the tablecloth. The “straw” custom originated from ancient times. It symbolizes the circumstances of the birth of Jesus Christ in Bethlehem. The guest plate is an integral part of the festive table. There is an old Polish proverb: “Guest in the house, God in the house,” which means that any guest is God’s blessing. No Pole will allow someone to go hungry on a holiday. Hospitality is in the blood of Poles.

ŚmigusDyngus – douse passers-by

The tradition of dousing passersby is Easter. According to guests of Poland, it is one of the most unusual. Modern tradition involves a real water battle using bottles, water pistols, capitoshkas and other special devices. Śmigus Dyngus is somewhat reminiscent of the Russian holiday Ivan Kupala. The origins of the tradition originate in Christianity, where pouring water was blessing. The tradition symbolizes the awakening of natural forces and the arrival of spring.

Don't take or give anything.

Another interesting custom is associated with the celebration of Christmas. Not taking or giving anything on the eve of Gwiazdka is zealously observed by the Poles. If you ask your neighbor for salt or matches on the eve of a holiday, she will not only refuse, but will not even let you into the door. Poles believe that giving a loan on Christmas Eve (Wigilia) is giving away your well-being. If you had to celebrate Christmas in Poland, you should stock up on everything you need in advance.

One of the important topics that will most likely be covered during the interview with the consul is Polish traditions for the Pole's Card . The people of Poland highly respect their culture, so if you are trying to prove that you are Polish by nationality, you will definitely need to understand basic Polish customs.

Polish traditions - questions and answers

1. Sylvester (December 31)\New Year (January 1).

In the 19th century, very few Poles celebrated the New Year, but now it has become a tradition. Most often, Poles celebrate this holiday with family or friends.

1. Three Kings (January 6).

This day is celebrated in memory of three kings, Melchior, Caspar and Balthasar, who brought gifts to the baby Jesus on the birthday of Christ.

1. Desolation

This is the time from New Year to Popeltsova Wednesday. This is a time of joy and entertainment before Lent.

1. Thick Thursday.

This is the last day of the Desolation. According to tradition, this Thursday you can overeat.

1. Wednesday Popeltsova.

This is the first day of Lent. On this day you should adhere to strict fasting.

1. Palm Sunday.

Palm Sunday begins the Great Week. This day commemorates the arrival of Jesus in Jerusalem. Bunches of willow trees are sacred in the Church.

1. Great (Good) Friday.

This day is dedicated to the memory of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. The strictest day of Holy Week. On this day, the Shroud is placed in the church - Jesus Christ, depicted in full growth and decorated with flowers. Also, on Good Friday you cannot do household chores.

1. Easter.

This is one of the most significant religious holidays, when the resurrection of Christ is celebrated. Easter usually falls between March 22 and April 25. On Saturday night in the church there was a ceremony of blessing the products that were on the table of each family the next day. Among the main dishes, it should be noted such as lamb (paska), boiled eggs, meat, pastries, white sausage and zurek.

1. Easter Monday.

The first Monday after Easter. According to tradition, on this day people poured water on each other. These could be family and friends, or complete strangers.

1. All Saints' Day.

November 1 is All Saints' Day in Poland. On this day, all families go to the cemetery to light candles on the graves of their relatives.

1. Katerina (November 24).

On this day, the guys gathered to tell fortunes and find out what the names of their future wives would be. For example, they wrote different names on pieces of paper and hid them under their pillows. In the morning, as soon as I woke up, I had to take out one piece of paper. The name written on it will belong to the guy’s future wife.

1. Andrey (November 30).

On this day, girls gathered together to tell fortunes for their future husbands.

1. St. Nicholas Day (December 6).

Saint Nicholas was famous for bringing gifts to children at night. Nowadays, parents often hide gifts for their children, assuring them that it was St. Nicholas.

1. Holy Supper.

This evening is considered the most festive of the whole year. On December 23 or 24, family preparations begin to celebrate the birth of Jesus, for example, a Christmas tree is placed and decorated in the house. In the evening, the whole family gets together for dinner, which begins when the first star appears in the sky. Before dinner, you must pray, and then everyone divides the payment among themselves, while wishing each other all the best. Only then can you start eating.

There should be 12 dishes on the table, among them such as kutya, red borscht, mushroom soup, carp, herring, cabbage dishes, dried fruit compote, nuts and various sweets.

Also on this day, carols are sung.

1. Christmas.

This day should begin with prayer, and on this holiday you cannot do household chores.

1. St. Stepan (December 26).

On the second day of Christ's birth, oat grains or other cereals are consecrated. This is also the time when friends and relatives come to visit each other.

1. What pastries belong to traditional desserts in Poland?

Favorki, galarettes, makovnik, donuts, cheesecake, charlotte.

1. Name the traditional dishes of Poland.

Bigos and zurek.

1. First Day of Spring (March 21).

This is a holiday for students, who traditionally run away from classes on this day.

1. Joke Day (April 1st).

A holiday of jokes and practical jokes.

1. St. Ivan's Day (June 24).

On this day, girls tell fortunes about their future husband.

All Polish holidays and the customs and rituals associated with them are a tradition that has been perceived through Christian cultures through the centuries. As some historians write about this, tradition is the past of people in the present. Tradition is passed down from generation to generation and never becomes outdated, because it contains human wisdom and beauty.

Most often, it is during the holidays that people turn to their roots and feel a deep connection with those who also celebrate, regardless of whether they are in the same country or somewhere abroad. Thanks to tradition, we know where we come from and thanks to it we can be proud of our national differences, which is important in the present time, when cultures are depersonalized and generalized through television.

And this is precisely why national holidays must be preserved, and all colorful and emotional customs, home and religious rituals must always be observed. Of course, it is difficult to imagine life without holidays, and holidays without the special atmosphere created by religious and folk customs.

The most important Polish holidays

• Christmas Eve - December 24
• Christmas - December 25
• The second day of the Feast of the Nativity of God - December 26
• New Year - December 31/January 1
• Feast of the Three Kings - January 6
• Rituals associated with Great Lent (Among them are Palm Sunday and Holy Week)
• Easter
• Green Holidays (Appearance of the Holy Spirit)
• God's Body
• Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary - August 15
• All Saints' Day/Day of the Dead - November 1/November 2
• Andrzejki - November 30
• St. Nicholas Day - December 6

Christmas Eve and Christmas

In fact, the Church believes that the most important holiday of Christianity is the Day of the Resurrection of God, i.e. Easter. But for most Poles, their favorite holiday is Christmas, and most of all Christmas Eve - dinner on Christmas Eve.

In the tradition of the Poles, the first star that appears in the gloomy sky on December 24 is a sign that on this day - Christmas Eve - to forgive all insults, to be friendly with everyone, not to provoke quarrels, but to sit down at the festive table in a beautiful outfit. A white blouse or white shirt with a suit will best emphasize the solemnity.

In the celebration of Christmas, the festive decoration of the rooms, the facade of the house and the yard (trees, garlands, festive decorations), as well as setting the Christmas table (white tablecloth, hay under the tablecloth, candles, fir branches) is also of great importance.

A very important element of the Christmas supper is the payment (a paper-thin loaf of bread consecrated in the church, most often it depicts some fragment from the life of Christ). On the table covered with a white tablecloth, under which there is hay, shawls reign among the Lenten dishes. In Poland, it is customary for the most respected or oldest member of the family to begin the festive dinner by reading a fragment of Holy Scripture “On the Birth of Christ.” After which he begins dividing by payment. It happens like this: the head of the family approaches any of those present at the festive table and hands him a payment, from which he must break off a small piece and put it in his mouth. And while he eats this piece, the elder says wishes. Those. Together with a piece of payment, the person accepts all these wishes. Then they change roles. When the exchange of wishes ends, you need to kiss three times and go to the others present, and tell them warm words of wishes. In this way, everyone congratulates each other on this holy holiday. The moment when wishes are said in an atmosphere of peace and love is always very emotional and touching.

In general it is a family holiday, but there is always one extra plate on the table for the lost traveler, homeless person or someone alone. No one should be lonely this evening. Therefore, if they know that some acquaintance, for example a neighbor, who has no family and is alone that evening, then they will definitely invite him to dinner. And of course, you need to prepare at least a symbolic gift for the invitee.

Dishes on the table should be lean. There are many books with recipes for Christmas dinner, and in any Polish cookbook there will always be such recipes. Usually dishes are prepared from fish, cabbage, mushrooms, poppy seeds, peas, and dried fruits. Alcohol is not served on the table on this day. Each region of Poland has its own favorite dishes. For example, in the Wielkopolska and Central regions they serve lenten mushroom soup, but in the eastern regions and Podkorpatie they serve borscht with ears (“ushki” are dumplings with mushrooms). But a popular dish throughout Poland is carp in various preparations and herring.

In most families, housewives try to have twelve dishes, corresponding to the number of apostles, and the same number of months in the year. In other families, they cook thirteen dishes or eleven, because... They believe that an odd number brings happiness. Dessert is usually served with poppy seed roll, gingerbread and dried fruit compote.

In Polish homes, there is also a custom of exchanging gifts at Christmas. These don't have to be expensive gifts, but they should be something well thought out and nice for the person for whom they are intended. In some families, gifts are placed under the tree (beautifully decorated and signed). They are awarded after the festive dinner. But there is often a situation when gifts are distributed after sharing payments before dinner, for example, to children who, out of curiosity and impatience, cannot have dinner in peace. This happens in Poland, and for example, the British receive gifts on the morning of Christ's birthday (December 25).

After Christmas dinner, in most Polish homes it is customary to sing carols (Christmas songs), the TV does not turn on. This is a very nice custom.

The first day of the holiday is usually spent at home surrounded by family. The second is the day when it is customary to go to visit and sit at a table laden with various dishes, including non-lenten ones. The time between Christmas and New Year is a time for visits, and in the villages, caroling.

New Year is a holiday when people dance and have fun in restaurants, hotels, holiday homes, and more recently in city squares and streets.

The Feast of the Three Kings is celebrated on the sixth of January; it is also called the Apparition in the Catholic Church. This is a Catholic holiday. It is celebrated in memory of the worship of the infant Jesus Christ by the three wise men. On this day, myrrh and chalk are consecrated in the church, and with this consecrated chalk, devout people write the first letters of the names of kings on their entrance doors, i.e. K+M+B and year (Casper+Melchior+Balthazar 2010)

Carnival

The time that starts from the New Year and lasts until Ash Wednesday (the beginning of Lent) is carnival. This is the time of balls, dancing, sleigh rides and various fun. The last week of the carnival opens with Maundy Thursday (Fat Thursday), on these days donuts and favorki are eaten in every house, as well as all kinds of delicacies cooked in fat.

Lent

Since Ash Wednesday, i.e. The forty-day Great Lent begins with the ritual of sprinkling ashes on the heads of believers. It precedes the most significant holiday of Christians - Easter, i.e. the day of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. Easter is a holiday that is not tied to any specific day on the calendar. Poles celebrate it on the first Sunday after the first spring full moon in the period from March 22 to April 25. The last Sunday of Lent is called Palm Sunday (in the Russian interpretation, Palm Sunday). On Palm Sunday, palm branches are blessed in memory of Christ's triumphal entry into Jerusalem. After Palm Sunday comes Great Week. Maundy Thursday is the day of remembrance of the Last Supper and Holy Communion, Good Friday is the day of the crucifixion of Christ and the day of mourning in the church. On this day, believers come to the church to the tomb of Christ. Prayers at the graves last all night, as well as on Holy Saturday.

Easter

On Holy Saturday food is blessed. Beautifully decorated baskets are prepared in which Easter eggs, sausage, bread and salt are placed. Cooking Easter eggs is an old folk custom. Each region of Poland has its own technique and style of painting eggs. It must be admitted that some of the Easter eggs are real works of folk art. After the food is blessed, it can be eaten.

Easter Sunday for the Church is a great holiday of resurrection. After morning mass, the faithful go home for the so-called Easter breakfast, which begins with the division of a blessed egg. Everyone says wishes to each other and sits down at the laid table, on which there are beautifully decorated plates with all kinds of meat and sausages, as well as salads and, of course, Easter eggs. For dessert they serve Easter Babas, Mazurkas and Syrniki, which are also called Easter.

Easter Monday (Wet Monday) is also a public holiday. This is the day of games and “dyngusa”, i.e. dousing with water and hitting with rods. Mostly young people both in cities and villages love these entertainments.

Green Holidays and the Body of God

Green Holidays are a moving holiday. Its date depends on the date of Easter and usually falls in May or early June. In the Catholic Church this is the feast of the Apparition of the Holy Spirit. However, in folk traditions, the symbol of this holiday is lush greenery. Houses are decorated with green branches and Calamus flowers. This custom is observed mainly in villages, but in cities, unfortunately, it is forgotten. Green holidays are also a time for playing outdoors.

Corpus Christi is always celebrated on Thursday, eleven days after the Green Holidays, believers together with the church servants prepare four altars in memory of the four evangelists. Altars are erected behind the church, in squares. In most cases, the initiative to prepare the altar is taken by, for example, a group of students, artisans, etc. The main symbol of the Corpus Christi holiday is one colorful procession, which consists of a crowd of believers. Some of the most colorful and vibrant processions take place in the Łowicka Land and Kurpie, where the folk costumes are very beautiful.

Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

On August 15, Poles celebrate the Day of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The main religious celebrations with the participation of a high church dignitary always take place in the city of Częstochowa, in the church on Jasna Guza (Jasna Gora), a place that is considered holy by the Poles and especially respected by the entire people. In this church, in the altar there is an icon of the Mother of God, called the Black Madonna, which among the Poles is considered the holiest miraculous icon ever created.

Pilgrims from all over Poland and neighboring countries come to Czestochowa to celebrate the Day of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This solemn event is attended by dignitaries, as well as a huge number of believers, numbering more than 500 thousand. This is an unprecedented event in its magnitude. The cardinal's sermon, i.e. The appeal to the people is broadcast on television throughout the country. Throughout Poland, celebratory services are held with the participation of local authorities, and flags in papal colors are hung next to the national flag.

All Saints Day

In most cultures it is a day of remembrance for the dead. A few days before the holiday, Poles go to the cemetery and clean up the graves and decorate them with flowers. On All Saints' Day, there are a lot of people in cemeteries who came to light a candle at the graves of their loved ones, as well as the graves of soldiers and famous people, which symbolizes the memory of those who have left us for another world.

Andrzejki

Andrzejki is a holiday that is celebrated on the name day of Andrzej (Andrey) on November 30th. On this day it is customary to tell fortunes. Young girls love this holiday because... There are many methods of fortune telling that allow you to find out when and who they will marry.

St. Nicholas Day

Mikolajki is what the Poles call this holiday. It is celebrated on December 6th. All children, without exception, love him, because... it is on this day that St. Nicholas comes (analogous to our Father Frost and Santa Claus). And of course he brings gifts.

Apart from a few holidays, which require seriousness and restraint, Poles love holidays and the friendly meetings associated with them, conversations at the table, joint chants and all sorts of fun. Every year provides many opportunities for this, and frankly speaking, the holidays are long-awaited for Poles, and their celebration suits the Polish temperament.

The Poles are considered a people who love holidays, observe traditions, and support long-standing customs. Ancient rituals, especially those that date back to pagan times, have long lost their magical character, becoming a colorful relic of the past and an element of the game. The connection with traditions is most strongly felt during the celebration of church holidays - Christmas, the Resurrection of Christ, the Feast of Corpus Christi, during which processions are organized, or All Saints' Day. Mass pilgrimages to places of religious worship are very popular. Among the holy places for Catholics, first of all, we must name the Czestochowa Monastery on Jasna Góra; for Jews this place is the grave of the tzaddik in Lezajsk, and for Orthodox Christians it is Grabarka.

The most important public holiday calendar is the anniversary of Poland's independence in 1918, which is celebrated on November 11, as well as the anniversary of the adoption of the first Polish constitution in 1791, which is celebrated on May 3. On these days, which are considered holidays by law, ceremonial events, concerts and folk festivals are organized.
In Poland, holidays are also celebrated that have a slightly different character. Among them are International Women's Day (8 March), today much less popular than in the years when Poland was the socialist Polish People's Republic; Mother's Day (May 26), Grandmother's Day (January 21), Children's Day (coinciding with International Children's Day - June 1), when various entertainment events are organized for the little ones.
Among the favorite and cultivated customs in Poland, it is worth mentioning Andrzejki - the day of St. Andrzej, on which everyone who bears the name Andrzej celebrates his name day. This is the last entertainment on the eve of the Nativity fast, associated not only with a rich feast, but also with fortune telling about the coming year. The most common is fortune telling with wax: a burning candle is held over a bowl of cold water, wax drips into the water, and the future is predicted by the outlines of the frozen drops.
A holiday that occupies a very important place in Polish tradition is Christmas. A special atmosphere reigns on Christmas Eve - Christmas Eve (in Poland it is called Wigilia). The most rituals, customs and beliefs are associated with this day. Christmas Eve is the most family-friendly Polish holiday. The decoration of a house or apartment plays a big role in creating a festive atmosphere. The main decoration is an elegant Christmas tree, without which it is difficult to imagine the Christmas holiday. But this is one of the youngest holiday traditions. The first Christmas trees appeared in Poland in the 19th century, mainly in German houses and the houses of townspeople of the evangelical faith - immigrants from Germany. Gradually, the custom of decorating a Christmas tree spread throughout Poland. Previously, Polish houses were decorated only with branches of coniferous trees on holidays.
Bundles of cereals, sheaves of hay or straw were also an element of the festive decoration. According to ancient belief, they brought a good harvest, prosperity in the house, but also reminded of the manger - the birthplace of Jesus Christ. Today, this custom is reminiscent of a small bundle of hay under the tablecloth that is used to cover the festive table. In some houses, the custom also began to put money under the tablecloth, and after dinner on Christmas Eve - to put fish scales or bones in the wallet. All this should provide the family with wealth and prosperity in the coming year. An additional device must be placed on the table for a random guest or a lonely traveler, if one drops by. An empty plate is also a memory of loved ones who are no longer with us.

A long time ago in Poland, Christmas Eve was considered a day the course of which would determine how the entire next year would go. This means that it was necessary to live it in complete peace and harmony with household members and acquaintances, not to upset anyone and to show each other signs of attention and respect. The tradition of preparing for the festive table has continued to this day. All homework had to be completed before dusk, before dinner, which was and is the most important moment of Christmas Eve. The signal for the start of the gala dinner is considered to be the appearance of the first star in the sky. The feast is preceded by reading a fragment of the New Testament about the birth of Jesus, then everyone shares a wafer - a consecrated bread - with each other as a sign of unity, love, friendship and peace. By sharing the wafer, people wish each other health, happiness and prosperity. A similar ritual symbolizing peace and harmony exists among those professing Orthodoxy, when, before dinner on Christmas Eve, those present break and share with each other mallow - unleavened church bread.

Polish dinner, also called vecher, consists exclusively of meatless dishes. Tradition dictates that there should be exactly 12 dishes on the table, according to the number of months in the year, or according to another version - according to the number of apostles.
However, rarely does anyone scrupulously count the number of dishes that are prepared for a festive dinner. There is also a belief that the more there are, the more satisfying, fun and rich life will be next year. In any case, no matter how many dishes there are, you need to at least try each of them. This ancient ritual, preserved for centuries in many homes, begins with the singing of carols. The evening on Christmas Eve usually ends with a trip to the church and participation in the solemn service, which begins at midnight.

Christmas Eve table in the old days and today

The modern Christmas Eve dinner is rich and varied. As a rule, mushroom broth or hot beet broth is served with “ears” - small dumplings with mushroom filling, thick mushroom soup, a lean dish of stewed cabbage (for example, cabbage with mushrooms or dumplings with cabbage-mushroom filling), pasta with sweet poppy seeds , cakes, pastries and other sweets, nuts, as well as dried fruit compote. The main ones are fish dishes, for which Polish cuisine is famous. There are many ways to prepare exquisite and very tasty dishes: soups, herring salads, fish with different sauces, fish in sour cream, jellied fish, baked, fried and boiled fish with spices. There should be no shortage of pies and desserts on the holiday table. It's hard to imagine a Polish Christmas Eve dinner without a poppy seed roll, honey gingerbread, and a dessert made of poppy seeds with honey, nuts and raisins, accompanied by crispy homemade cookies, once called lamanets. One of the ancient Polish dishes served in Poland during festive dinners is kutia, made from ground poppy seeds, wheat and honey. The presence of this magical dish on the table on Christmas Eve symbolizes the long-standing ritual of unity with the souls of the dead, which our ancestors performed on the day of the winter solstice.

CARNIVAL

Immediately after the Christmas holidays, so-called “nurseries” are held - amateur theatrical performances based on gospel stories. In villages you can still find mummers who go from house to house with a star on a pole, sing carols, joke around, try to cheer up the owners, for which, according to tradition, they receive a “payment for the visit.” Previously, those who came to carol were treated to delicacies from the festive table, but now they are increasingly given small money. Mummers often perform scenes that are somehow related to biblical motifs. We can say that the constant characters in these scenes are: King Herod, Angel, Devil, Death, sometimes Gypsy, Bear or Goat.
December 31, New Year's Eve - according to the Catholic calendar, St. Sylvester's Day, which opens the season of balls and masquerades, a time of noisy, crowded entertainment events with dancing, practical jokes and abundant food. Among the traditional Polish entertainments that are still popular today is the so-called “kulig”, that is, sleigh rides or, as it was also called, “sleigh dance,” which was once one of the favorite pastimes of the gentry. The sleigh circled from courtyard to courtyard, and in each of them a generous meal awaited the guests, after which the dancing began, as they say “until you drop.” Nowadays the camps are held more modestly. The ride ends with a feast around the fire, during which they eat sausages, meat or traditional Polish bigos fried over the fire.
The last Thursday of the carnival, the so-called “Fat Thursday,” is a day dominated by sweets: donuts made from yeast dough with jam and brushwood cookies.
The carnival ends with wild fun from Tuesday to "Ash" Wednesday, the so-called "herring". For dinner, mainly herring prepared in different ways is served as a reminder of the upcoming fast.

MAZHANNA'S DROWNING

Another ancient ritual that modern Poles do not want to part with is the drowning of Mazanna, a straw doll symbolizing winter, held on the fourth Sunday of Lent. Farewell to winter and joy about the coming spring, which means awakening to life, should appease nature and bring a good harvest, and therefore prosperity. Usually the “cold Majanna” is dressed in a white linen dress, decorated with white beads and ribbons, and in Silesia - in a real wedding dress with a wreath as a headdress. In the villages, Mazhanna is carried around all the houses, and then her clothes are taken off and scattered across the field. Then the straw doll is drowned in a river, pond or lake, or, if there is no such reservoir, simply in a large puddle. In some places, the doll is set on fire and thrown into the water while it is burning. Mazhanna is escorted out of the village along one road, and on the other they are greeted by the so-called “maik” - green branches decorated with colored ribbons, beads and flowers, symbolizing spring. With the advent of each new century, the ritual of seeing off winter gradually began to take on the character of a game devoid of magical symbolism. Today, the drowning of Mazhanna has become entertainment, first of all, for children and teenagers who say goodbye to winter on March 21, the first day of astronomical spring. In Poland, this day is called “truant day” (since schoolchildren, however, with the permission of teachers and parents, “skip” classes).

Resurrection of Christ - Easter

The most colorful religious holiday preceding the Resurrection of Christ (Easter) is Palm Sunday, which is solemnly celebrated in churches throughout the country in memory of the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. The main attribute of this holiday are “palm trees,” which, however, have little in common with the palm branches with which crowds of townspeople greeted Christ in the Holy City. In Poland, the role of palm trees is played by bouquets of boxwood and dried flowers, as well as willow branches. In some regions, “palm trees” are made several meters high. They are decorated with ribbons, dyed herbs, dried or artificial flowers made from colored blotting paper. In the old days, they believed that palm trees consecrated during a prayer service acquired special properties, for example, driving away diseases. After the service, believers lightly hit each other with them, wishing them good health, longevity, wealth and a generous harvest.
On Holy Saturday, believers come to churches, where priests bless the food intended for the festive table, that is, the so-called “sviachenki”, because Great Lent is coming to an end. In Poland, the tradition of consecrating products is very long, dating back to the 14th century. But if previously only a lamb baked from bread dough was sacred, today an Easter basket should contain at least seven different products, each of which has its own symbolic meaning. Bread, which guarantees prosperity and good luck, for Christians, first of all, symbolizes the body of Christ. The egg is a symbol of reborn life, the victory of life over death. Salt is considered a mineral that gives life, and, according to ancient beliefs, also drives away evil spirits. Smoked meat ensures health, fertility and material well-being. Cheese symbolizes friendship between man and the forces of nature, horseradish symbolizes physical strength and strength. Confectionery products (primarily Easter "babas", Easter cakes and mazurkas) are placed last in the basket and are considered a symbol of various kinds of abilities and skill. Tradition dictates that all baked goods must be homemade.

"Pysanki"

Decorating eggs is a centuries-old tradition associated with Easter. The oldest Polish "pysanka", found during excavations in Ostrow, dates back to the 10th century. It is interesting that the technique for making “pysanka” is almost no different from the one used today.
In Polish culture, painted Easter eggs have become an element of folk art that characterizes certain areas of the country. Traditional "pysanky" are made using a funnel-shaped tool, which is used to apply an ornament of melted wax, which, after drying, does not absorb paint. In some areas of the country, eggs are covered with white reed core and colored yarn, or with miniature paper patterns. In Pomorie, “painted eggs” are widely known, that is, eggs painted in one color, obtained thanks to natural dyes from leaves, decoction of tree bark, onion peels, cones, mallow flowers, chamomile, reed, nut shells, nettles, as well as pine needles and many other plants. In Silesia, colored eggs are decorated with elaborate designs scratched into the colored shells with a sharp object.
In the past, only women decorated Easter eggs. The decorated or painted eggs were first received by family members and children, and later, during Easter week, by friends and acquaintances. If a boy or girl gave each other “dye”, this meant proof of sympathy.
According to tradition, consecrated foods are eaten during the ceremonial breakfast after Sunday Easter Matins. Everyone sits down at the table, which, as a rule, is bursting with sausages, pates, rolls, ham and other meat products. The table must certainly have a variety of poultry dishes, as well as eggs, Easter “babas”, mazurka cakes and cottage cheese. Hot dishes for the festive breakfast include zhur with white sausage or smoked broth, horseradish soup with egg and white sausage, or regular borscht with egg. The table covered with a snow-white tablecloth is decorated with multi-colored Easter eggs, spring flowers, alder catkins, periwinkle, and compositions of green herbs. An indispensable decoration of the Easter table is a lamb made of sugar, dough or glaze.
Before breakfast, the participants of the feast share a hard-boiled egg with each other.
After Easter Sunday, Monday comes, as usual, and with it “smigus-dyngus” - a ritual during which boys pour water on girls. It is difficult to say exactly when this custom, which has survived to this day, was born, and what its original meaning was. Perhaps it was about an act of purification and increasing fertility. In many areas, on the second day after the Resurrection of Christ, they watered not only women and girls, but also the land so that they would not skimp on the harvest, as well as cows so that they would produce more milk.
Various local traditions were also associated with the Easter holidays. In Krakow, the so-called “Emaus” was (and remains) a very popular festival, which was organized in memory of the journey of the apostles to the town of Emaus. Street vendors laid out cheap shiny jewelry, whistles, toys and sweets on their stalls. Krakow apprentices, as well as young guys who came to the city for "emaus" from the surrounding villages, flirted with the girls, spanking them with willow branches, and also demonstrated their bravery in stick fights. Crowds gathered at the churches watched processions of religious brotherhoods walking along the sidewalks with tambourines, the banner of the brotherhood and holy images. Today, in addition to traditional toys and handicrafts, unfortunately, stamped plastic trinkets appear on the shelves, but still, “emaus” still brings great joy to both kids and adults.

Polish cuisine

Polish cuisine contains elements of the culinary traditions of the peoples who lived in the neighborhood for centuries - Jews, Ukrainians, Belarusians, Lithuanians, forming a rich multinational culture. Polish cuisine has also been influenced by the proximity of Russia, Germany, the Czech Republic and Austria. In addition, it contains influences of Italian, French and Middle Eastern culinary traditions.
Poland is famous, first of all, for its very tasty smoked meats, especially sausages, which are highly valued all over the world. Sausages are made according to ancient recipes, using traditional smoking methods in the smoke of juniper branches or aromatic fruit trees. No one will regret if they try hunting sausage, seasoned with juniper fruits, or “Lisetskaya” sausage, richly seasoned with many spices, including garlic. No less successful are perfectly prepared hams of various varieties, smoked meat rolls, balyki, and brisket. It is also worth remembering the wonderful pates made from different types of meat, including game.
Poland also specializes in baking bread. Black rye bread made from wholemeal flour is especially good. In addition to its wonderful taste, it is also very good for health and is included in the list of dietary foods.
No Polish lunch is complete without a first course. Traditional soups include red beetroot borscht - pure beetroot broth with spices, which is served with so-called "ears", that is, small dumplings with minced mushroom or beans. A very tasty soup is “zhur” (or zhurek) made with kvass made from wholemeal flour. Zurek is often prepared with mushrooms and is usually served with boiled potatoes, diced smoked meats and a hard-boiled egg. Mushroom soup with noodles, seasoned with sour cream, is highly prized. Other popular soups are: kapustnik, krupnik, and potato or tomato. Particularly noteworthy is the clear, “tear-like” broth made from poultry or beef, with pasta, thickly sprinkled with herbs.
Meat is prepared in various ways: baked, stewed, fried in a pan or grilled. Meat dishes are served either hot - with delicious sauces, which are countless in Polish cuisine, or as cold appetizers - with mustard, horseradish, pickled mushrooms or pickles.
A classic meat dish is breaded pork chop with potatoes and cabbage. Baked pork belly stuffed with prunes is also exceptionally tasty. To the very popular pork dishes, it is worth adding baked and boiled pork shank, as well as “kashanka” - a type of blood sausage. Once considered a typical country home dish, kaszanka is now served as a delicacy in the best restaurants serving traditional Polish cuisine. Lard made the same “dizzying career”: melted pork fat with cracklings, pieces of meat, smoked meats, onions and garlic, with the addition of salt, pepper, and aromatic herbs. One of the most delicious meat dishes is zrazy, rolled from pieces of beef with various fillings , including pickles. Usually zrazy is served with buckwheat or pearl barley porridge. One cannot help but recall the Krakow-style stewed duck with mushrooms, which is also served with porridge as a side dish. As a festive dish, a pig is prepared, baked whole and stuffed with buckwheat porridge with hot spices.
It’s hard to imagine Polish cuisine without dumplings with minced meat, or cabbage with mushrooms, or with cottage cheese or fruit filling. But especially popular are dumplings, which in Poland are called “Russian” (with minced cottage cheese, potatoes and fried onions). Among flour dishes, pancakes, stuffed “pyzy” and dumplings are also successful. The national Polish dish is considered “bigos” made from stewed sauerkraut and fresh white cabbage with the addition of various types of meat, smoked meats and mushrooms. I must also say a kind word about cabbage rolls stuffed with meat and rice or porridge. Stuffed cabbage rolls are generously sprinkled with tomato or mushroom sauce.
The most favorite snack of Poles is herring, prepared in various ways, for example, with onions, apples and sour cream. Traditional Polish desserts include sweet pies, most often yeast pies, as well as a variety of rolls with poppy seeds, raisins, nuts and dried fruits, mazurkas, apple, curd pies and gingerbreads. One of the favorite Polish delicacies are donuts filled with wild rose jam.
The most typical Polish alcoholic drink is pure vodka of different varieties, that is, infused with different types of herbs. The most original vodkas include bison, in which stalks of grass from Belovezhskaya Pushcha are dipped, which bison eat. In turn, Gdansk vodka Goldwasser is enriched with grains of 22-carat gold. Poland will not disappoint beer lovers either: Polish beer is of the same excellent quality as German or Czech, and breweries in cities such as Żywiec, Warka or Elblag have centuries-old traditions of preparing this drink.
In cold weather, Poles willingly drink warmed beer or wine with the addition of honey and seasonings from fragrant roots. Of the stronger alcoholic drinks, fruit liqueurs or herbal tinctures are worthy of attention. Their choice in Poland is very large: from medicinal and warming liqueurs and tinctures to strong drinks, which are consumed solely for their taste.
Don't ignore liqueurs, drinking honey or any of the creamy cocktails with added alcohol made from egg yolks, vanilla or chocolate. These creams are also used in the preparation of various desserts.

Regional specialties

Potatoes, prepared in various ways, occupy an important place in Silesian cuisine. A typical Silesian dish is potato dumplings with the addition of raw grated potatoes. Dishes made from white and red cabbage are also popular (red cabbage is usually stewed with the addition of smoked loin).
Among the sweet delicacies, Silesian poppies deserve special attention - a dessert made from mashed poppy seeds with the addition of honey, raisins, nuts and dried fruits. The sweet mass, placed on thin slices of sweet bread or cookies, is poured with hot milk, then cooled and served.
Many dishes of Silesian cuisine are similar in composition to Greater Poland cuisine. Connoisseurs and connoisseurs of delicious food have a special weakness for the so-called “kartača” - dumplings with a complex filling of meat with mushrooms or cabbage with mushrooms. Beskydy cuisine has the right to be proud of such a dish as stewed pork shank with the addition of beer, spices and vegetables. Among the soups, residents of the Beskydy region prefer "zhur" with whey and "kvasnitsa" - a type of cabbage soup with a large amount of pork meat, including smoked meat.
It is difficult to imagine the cuisine of the Polish highlanders living in the Tatra region and Podhale (Podhale) without “bundz” and “oscypka” - the famous sheep cheeses, as well as baked lamb dishes. Smoked meats prepared by mountain chefs have a unique taste and aroma, the secret of which lies in the special salting of the meat. Also popular in these places is kvassnitsa, cooked in pork head broth and served with hot boiled potatoes placed in a separate deep bowl.

Galicia is heavily influenced by Austrian cuisine, especially Viennese. An example is one of the cold appetizers: “salceson,” that is, a certain type of sausage, reminiscent of cool jellied meat, which is prepared from low-fat pork and served with cold mustard sauce. The traditional Easter dish is the so-called “white borscht” with the addition of white sausage, cooked in a smoked ham broth, thickly seasoned with sour cream. Galician desserts are excellent, among which the main place is occupied by cottage cheese cake made with egg yolks, covered with vanilla cream or chocolate glaze, known as “Viennese curd cake”.
German, Russian and Polish culinary motifs are closely intertwined in Masurian cuisine. A delicacy that can only be tasted in Masuria is fish soup made from several varieties of fish and crayfish with the addition of forest herbs, which is cooked in a cast-iron pot over low heat. The most interesting thing is that before removing from the fire, a burning birch chock is placed in the pot, which gives the soup a unique aroma.
The cuisine of the eastern outskirts of Poland mainly comes from Lviv. A typical dish for this region is kulebyaka, made from yeast dough with a complex filling of cabbage, boiled rice, eggs and fish. Kulebyaka is served with Ukrainian borscht, prepared from a large number of different vegetables and generously seasoned with sour thick sour cream.

National costume

Most Poles wear modern costumes. Traditional folk clothes are worn in parts of the villages on holidays. Polish national costume is very diverse and colorful. Each region has its own types of clothing, its own style and color scheme of embroidery.

During the 16th century, Polish men's costume experienced German, Italian, Spanish, and Eastern influences. These numerous influences were felt primarily in the appearance of the nobility and wealthy burghers. Poles also wore national clothes, with the exception of kings and their courtiers, who dressed mostly in accordance with European fashion. Much was adopted from the costume of Muslims, for example, details of military uniforms.

Men's suit

Outerwear was called zhupan and was almost the same for all classes and differed only in the quality of the fabric. Zupan It was made quite long and fitted, with a stand-up collar, and was fastened to the waist with a row of frequently spaced buttons.

An important detail of the costume was the belt - a wide and long, specially woven strip of a beautiful and small pattern, the location of which emphasized the official and financial status of the owner. The richness of the ornament and material testified to a high rank, especially if threads of “Turkic gold” were introduced into the fabric. Belts were often fastened with silver clasps. They also wore hammered metal belts made of plates or leather.

On top of the zhupan they put on a delia and a kopenyak, similar to the Hungarian ones. Already in the 16th century, there was much in common between the types of clothing of these countries.

Polish Delia, like the Hungarian one, was long, voluminous, had a collar that lay wide on the shoulders, or was cut without a collar at all. The sleeves were long folded or short wide, often with small slits along the edge. There were several types of fasteners - with buttons (for wealthy people they were made of jewelry), buttonholes made of decorative cord - brandenburgs, or without fasteners at all, when the edges of the floor widened downwards and overlapped one another. Delia was sewn with a lining, thin or warm (from inexpensive fur (hare or lamb) for winter.

Delia's option was feresia smaller in volume, with narrow long sleeves, thinly lined, very similar to Turkish kaftans.

Rich Poles used Venetian velvet, Italian brocade, Turkish and Persian silk for their costumes.

The Poles wore an ancient headdress slingshot- a cap with a lapel cut above the forehead. It was made of fur and fabric, decorated with a plume of feathers, precious buckles and had several options. The men's suit was complemented by tight trousers or stockings, boots or low closed shoes.

Women's suit

Women's costume was little affected by eastern influence, and national originality was expressed in some details and features of the cut.

An ancient detail was rantukh- a large white veil placed over the head and draped around the face, neck, shoulders, and sometimes the waist. A cap (for wealthy women it was decorated with pearls or lace) or a cap was worn over the rantuha. Rich women wore velvet caps with expensive fur lapels made from marten, beaver, sable, or made entirely of fur. The edges of the rantukh were often trimmed with black or red plain embroidery and gold embroidery. Favorite ornaments were flowers and Turkish motifs. Married women of all classes wore veils, bonnets, and caps; only girls slightly uncovered their hair.

In the second half of the 16th and first half of the 17th centuries, the dresses of the wives and daughters of nobles were sewn according to Spanish-German and sometimes Italian patterns. The cut was reminiscent of the Spanish one, but with some additions, for example, in the form of an apron (Polish noblewomen did not have one, only bourgeois women), a cap connected to a cap with a fur lapel. The costumes of wealthy townswomen were similar to the costumes of noblewomen and were a simplified version of them. From the middle of the 17th century, French fashions began to establish themselves at the Polish court.

The dress of noblewomen consisted, as a rule, of a narrow closed bodice ending in a cape, with various trimmings on the chest, a cone-shaped smooth skirt and a short cape. Bourgeois women dressed in a close-fitting jacket, such as a men's purpouin, a skirt with soft tails, an apron, and a more voluminous jacket with decorative sleeves often hung saddle-stitched on the shoulders.

Women wore fur coats. Clothes were lined with sable, marten, and beaver fur.

Dresses were decorated with rows of colored patterned piping, gold and silver lace, and braided cord. There were a variety of belts in fashion - metal, leather, silk. They wore gold chains, caps embroidered with pearls, and heavy jewelry.

Polish city women often used expensive fabrics - silk, velvet, satin. Fabrics with a golden, “luster” surface were very popular.

The wives of poor artisans in the 16th-17th centuries dressed extremely simply. Their typical clothing consisted of a dark dress made of cheap materials, a white shirt, a bodice with short sleeves (or a sleeveless bodice), a gathered skirt, and a rantuha.

This clothing also passed on to the peasantry.

Wedding customs among Poles.

The issue of marriage was decided in Poland in the 19th and early 20th centuries, first of all by the parents of the boy and girl, and then by the young people themselves. Young people could meet each other at so-called sittings (gatherings), which were held in the houses of brides and to which boys came. The peasant yards where the daughters were married were carefully swept and kept in order - it was important for the family to earn a reputation for being economical and prosperous. The boys organized music (dances), where the girls came accompanied by their mothers, aunts, and godparents. Boys and girls took part in calendar holidays together and attended services in the church.

A unique form of courtship was also common - the so-called barrel dance. At night, a group of guys knocked on the window of a girl that one of them liked. The girl either came out to them or invited them into the house.

The courtship of young men with girls was limited to their own village, rarely took place in the neighboring one and, as a rule, did not extend beyond their parish.

For a Polish family, a wedding has always been a celebration of extreme importance. The wedding ceremony differed significantly depending on the region, time, and social conditions.

In a Polish village at the beginning of the 20th century, wedding ceremonies retained many archaic features. First, “findings” were carried out, the purpose of which was to find out about the wealth in the bride’s family and the groom’s chances of marriage. Then came the matchmaking. Usually the matchmaker came in the evening so that the evil person would not jinx it. The conversations were conducted allegorically, after which the matchmaker put vodka on the table. If the bride's parents accepted the proposal, then the vodka was immediately drunk with the participation of the bride.

Matchmaking was followed by an agreement between the parents of the bride and groom, called “zmuvini,” and a viewing of the groom’s family’s household. At this stage, they agreed on a dowry, which included livestock, clothing, utensils, etc. The pre-wedding betrothal ceremony was called “zarenchina.” It was carried out like this. The groom - the “betrothed” and the bride - the “betrothed” sat down at the table opposite each other, put their hands on a loaf of bread covered with a scarf. With this scarf they tied their hands on bread, a piece of which was given to the bride, groom and everyone present. Then the newlyweds exchanged gifts.

After the engagement, the engagement of the newlyweds was announced in the church three times on Sundays and preparations for the wedding began. The groom bought all the wedding dresses for the bride, and she gave him a shirt and underwear.

Usually the wedding began on Sunday and lasted two to three days. Different regions of Poland had their own local forms of inviting guests.

On the eve of the wedding, the bride said goodbye to her girlfriends who were going to her bachelorette party. The girls wove wreaths and sang songs. In those parts of Poland where the ceremony of unbraiding the braid was performed, this evening was called “rozpleciny”.

Ruzga is cheerful -

At the same time, the groom feasted with friends in his house, preparing for family life.

A wreath was a symbol of the bride's chastity. A girl who had lost her virginity before her wedding could not go to church wearing a wreath. Another ritual symbol with the same meaning was Ruzga is cheerful - a tree decorated with ribbons, plants, flowers, etc. Both the wreath and the ruzga were associated with the long-standing ritual of unbraiding the bride’s braids and with many other wedding rituals. On the morning of the wedding day, the groom and his groom headed to the bride's house. Next to the groom rode the elder groom with a wreath on a long branch. At the closed gates of the house, bargaining began for the bride's braid. Finally, the groom and his groom were allowed into the house. He was seated at a table with four in the corners. wedding bread. At this time, the bride and her bridesmaids were hiding in one of the rooms. They came out one by one, covered with a casing and limping. The groom must guess the bride among them, who usually did not limp. Then the “rozplecin” ritual began. According to tradition, the bride's brother began to unravel the braid, then the groomsmen, and finally the groom himself.

An interesting custom marks the entry of the bride into the age group of women. Married women gathered at the bride's house on the eve of the wedding, danced, sang, ate and drank until the morning.

On the morning before the wedding, the groomsmen, together with the musicians, walked around the village, sang and played, invited guests, and collected payment from them for the invitation.

For the wedding, ritual bread was baked, called “kolach” or “korovai” depending on the area.

The groom went to pick up the bride, accompanied by his retinue. Several times his path was blocked by “gates” made of poles. The groom gave a ransom, and the path was cleared.

Before leaving for the wedding, the bride said goodbye to everyone, cried bitterly and lamented. When going to church, she could not cover her head, since all people had to see her loose hair and wreath. The newlyweds traveled to the church separately, and after the wedding they set off on the return journey in the same cart.

The main wedding fun began in the evening. After dinner and dancing until late in the evening, the senior matchmaker took the newlyweds to her place for the night, and the next day they performed a ceremony called “ochepini” - putting on a cap. This symbolized the young woman’s farewell to girlhood and her entry into the ranks of married women.

There were two options for the bride to move to the groom's house - a day or two after the wedding, or two to six weeks later. When meeting the newlywed, the mother-in-law gave her ritual bread, which she cut and distributed to the children.

A few days after the wedding, a small wedding was held in the bride’s house - “popravini”, for which close relatives of the newlyweds gathered.

The unique culture of Poland attracts a huge number of tourists every year. Here they still talk about the “Rzeczpospolita of both nations.” The relationship between East and West inspires artists, artists, and writers in the country. National characteristics are most pronounced in the north of the country.

Centuries-old culture of Poland

It is believed that the formation of Polish culture was greatly influenced by both the East and the West. Rich Polish culture reflected in local architecture. Many fortresses, palaces and churches are included in the UNESCO list. The Poles have a special relationship with local traditions; many ancient rituals have been preserved in the mountainous regions.

Religion of Poland

The church in the country takes an active position; it participates in economic and socio-political activities. Religion of Poland- Catholicism. The majority of citizens adhere to this religion. The second most common religion is Orthodoxy, adhered to by 1.3% of citizens. There are also Protestants, Jehovah's Witnesses and adherents of other religions in the country.

Economy of Poland

Polish zloty is the national currency of the country. Even though Poland Since 2004, it has been a member of the European Union. You can pay in the country only in the national currency. In addition to cash, plastic cards are accepted for payment, and you can pay in euros at special cash desks. Economy of Poland industrial-agrarian. The basis of industry is coal, chemical, textile and metallurgy.

Science of Poland

Scientists from many countries prefer to erase existing boundaries between themselves. The most significant discoveries of our time have become possible thanks to collaboration. Science of Poland are actively developing. Foreign specialists work in universities, and Polish scientists teach abroad.

Art of Poland

The rich past has had a huge influence on. Since the country is at the crossroads of Europe culture many peoples and their traditions are intertwined. Artists, painters, musicians, writers reflect in their works the characteristics and beauty of their country.

Polish cuisine

Unique geography of Poland influenced the formation of gastronomic preferences. Polish cuisine– this is the influence of Lithuanians, Hungarians, Ukrainians, Italians, French, Tatars. Traditional dishes include: fish, duck, sauerkraut soup, cabbage rolls and dumplings.

Customs and traditions of Poland

The Poles are one of those peoples who highly respect customs, observe traditions and love holidays. Customs and traditions of Poland formed under the influence of paganism, and later under the influence of Catholicism. The church plays an important role in the life of the population, and visiting the church is regulated by strict rules.

Sports of Poland

Polish athletes represent their country very successfully in international competitions. Sports of Poland continues to actively develop. Popular in the country: volleyball, rugby, football, winter sports.